Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,
I am just wondering, for those who know or have experience with both, if there are any characteristics of the Greek Tortoise (Testudo graeca ibera) or the Marginated Tortoise (T. marginata) that make one better suited to life in captivity. As I understand it, both species have nearly identical care requirements and the main difference is general appearance and size (Marginated being slightly larger). Independent of these physical differences, does anyone have an opinion regarding any behavioural differences that make one more ideal? Is one more 'personable', for example? Is either species 'hardier' than the other? Things like burrowing frequency, pickiness in terms of feeding, etc. are all noteworthy.
Just hoping for some general opinions.
Thanks very much!

My Greeks are the ibera type, and are therefore pretty hardy coming from a Mediterranean type climate. They are very similar to marginata in habits, but that is not so for the North African/mid-East type Greeks...so marginata to ibera is a fair comparison, other types of Greeks are way different. I find them almost identical in culture, they feed the same, breed similar, etc. Marginateds are perhaps less common, and they do grow larger and I see variability in shell shape, in what I consider healthy and well formed specimens. I think the ibera type Greeks are slightly more active at both the high and low ends of temperature range than my marginata, but I have no hard data to support that, just an impression. T. graeca ibera might be descibed as having a "typical" shell shape, marginata far more extreme shape...which you may or may not find appealing. My graeca were sexually mature earlier than the marginata. My ibera are perhaps a little more prone to slamming and agressive behavior when breeding...than the marginata. My ibera have prettier shell patterns than the marginata. Both are easy to feed, enjoy a wide variety of Mediterranean type weeds etc. My ibera learned to use artificial burrows more readily than the marginata, important since we moved to a very hot desert climate. I love both, I would hate to choose...vic h.

Dear Vic H.,
This is very helpful information and I appreciate it very much!
You are exactly the type of keeper I was hoping to hear from, and the anecdotal experiences pertaining to behavior are great!
A few questions if I may. You mention that you see variability in shell shape (in terms of healthy formation), and I think you are referring to Marginateds. Are you saying that you see variability in healthy and well-formed Marginated shells? That is, under similar conditions, Marginated shells tend to vary more compared to Ibera Greeks? Is the bottom line that Ibera Greeks usually exhibit healthier and well-formed shells (given that their needs are being met)? Are Marginateds more prone to pyramiding, for example?
I do like the carapacial form of Marginateds, as well as their comparative rarity. However, I may decide on the Ibera Greeks based on your very helpful reply.

My marginateds (9 specimens from two different breeders, 9-11 years old) are large and well formed by any standard, and not pyramided. However, the marginal scutes vary from specimen to specimen, some very large (resembling a WWII German army helmet...sort of?), others less so. Some are more domed than others which a more slender and flattened (sort of like some red foots?) In my limited sample, I just notice a lot of variation, in size overall and shell scute size. By comparison, my T.graeca ibera are more "homogenous", the casual observer would say they all look about the same... BTW, be sure to check out what Richard Fife had to say about the cause of pyramiding in captive tortoises a few years back in Reptile magazine article and elsewhere. Important to understand this often confusing topic. I agree with him fully on this controversial topic. Good luck, you will be happy with either one, I think you have chosen two of the best species to work with. Others may be prettier, but they have great personaalities and easy to care for. good luck,vic

Thanks again, Vic. I appreciate it.
Well, I had decided on the Marginated but the breeder and I had a disagreement on what constitutes a healthy well-formed tortoise, so I have expanded my search. Since good breeders are few and far between, this usually dictates what species are available to me. I am looking into hermanni as well.